The memorable races

The Saturday Night Races July 30 were memorable for Quincy fans. They were dedicated to the memory of Quincy firefighter Dale Lancaster. Some Quincy drivers made the evening a night to remember.

Cameron Diaz, Quincy High School quarterback, discovered he was talented in another sport. He won the Pure Mini main event in Ashley Neiman’s car. It was the first time that he had driven the car. After his victory lap he did a victory back flip. Quincy’s Chris Neiman, in his heat race, was victorious over the main event winner Richard Papenhausen. In the main event Chris did another exciting flip, only Truckee’s Russell Rosario piled on top of him. Quincy’s Chase Neiman is setting a record for blown engines as he blew up the engine in his sister’s Pure Mini. He is burning bucks like a forest fire.

The Pure Mini class gets the most improved class award. It had two first-time drivers with Justin Saltel and Diaz. Saltel took third place. Jon Busselen took second in car 84. He has his work cut out for him to be the points leader this year. The next race for the Minis is Aug. 6. Joe Wood, a previous points leader, is expected to return in his 3A car. Joe was sidelined with an injury last year but is back to 100 percent. It is unknown if Cameron Diaz will return again to prove that it was not beginner’s luck.

The Dwarf race had seven cars with three from Plumas County. Jason Crosby and Jason Marshall are from Quincy. Jesse Van Kol is from Portola. Veteran Skip Hemper is from Zephyr Cove, Nev. Derik Rosse is from Carson City, Nev. David Richardson is from Truckee. In the Dwarf “B” main Rosse in car 40 was first. Van Kol in car 84 was second and Hemper in car 00 was third. In the “A” main Joe Frock, from Reno, in car 16, was first with Rosse in second and Van Kol in third. The next DART Dwarf race is Aug. 6.

Richard Papenhausen’s trip up the Canyon from Chico was again financially rewarding. He took first in the IMCA Modified main event. After a grueling race with 12 other cars, Billy Pearson, from Reno, was second. Another reward was a car finishing with only a scratch. The previous races he suffered heavy damages. Mitch Murphy, from Susanville, was third, Bob Higgins, from Beckwourth, was fourth and Erica Harmon, from Chester, finished in fifth.

This Saturday Night Races had other events. Four men raced tires to a finish. The tires ranged from a bike tire to a Sprint car slick. There was an egg race. Contestants had to move to a finish line with an egg between their legs without breaking or dropping it. Dan Diaz, from Portola, also drove the first Hobby Stock this year. He is looking for some competition.

The next Saturday Night race is Aug. 6. American Valley Speedway has developed a reputation for memorable races. For more information on future events call 283-2175 or visit americanvalleyspeedway.com.